In this article, we discuss the leading Australian-based company Gilmour Space Technologies which develops and launches new satellite platforms and LEO launch vehicles. It provides valuable space access to its global commercial and defense customers. Let us delve into the insights to learn more about the journey and achievements of the company in the aerospace industry.
About Gilmour Space Technologies
Gilmour Space Technologies is an Australian-based rocket launch services company that is developing new capabilities for launching satellites into space. It provides access to space for its global commercial and defense customers. The vision of the company is All Orbits, All Planets.
Gilmour Space Technologies was established in the year 2015 and founded by two brothers Adam Gilmour and James Gilmour. Adam Gilmour is a co-founder and CEO who has 20 years of bank experience and believes that New Space will benefit greatly from having more affordable & dedicated access to space. James Gilmour is a co-founder and Head of Launch Operations at Gilmour Space Technologies and has 15 years of experience in business development. He is also an active member & advisor at the SIAA, NSSA & QSF.
Journey of Gilmour Space Technologies
Since the start of the rocket program Gilmour Space Technologies has been the leading provider of Australian-made launch vehicles and satellites by lowering the cost of access to space. In 2016, Gilmour Space Technologies launched Australia’s first privately developed hybrid rocket called RASTA. It is a world-first demonstration of a rocket using 3D-printed fuel. In the year 2017, it raised Series A & B Venture funding and was the first space startup in Australia to receive venture capital investment. Gilmour Space signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA in the year 2018, for various space research, education, and development works.
In 2019, the new Gilmour Space was launched with a new brand look. In 2020, Gilmour Space signed a contract with Space Machines Company to launch a 35-kilogram spacecraft into orbit. A Series C funding was raised in 2021 where US-based Fine Structure Ventures, Australian venture capital firms Blackbird and Main Sequence, and superannuation funds HESTA, NGS Super, and Hostplus were involved. Later in 2022, Gilmour won the contract to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite for the Department of Defence and It also revealed a new printed liquid rocket engine In the same year Gilmour Space announced its first Caravan to space which is expected to launch in 2024, that carries multiple satellites and payloads into the low earth orbit. Gilmour Space conducted the final test fire of its Sirius hybrid rocket engine which is the country’s first orbital launch.
Gilmour Space is conducting a mission into low Earth Orbit on one of its G-class satellite buses which will be launching in 2024. In the year 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese formally launched the first home-built orbital launch vehicle the Eris rocket. In 2024, Gilmour Space raised Series D funding of $55 million with a mission to maiden orbit launch. It was granted Orbital Spaceport Australia’s first orbital launch facility license to launch rockets and satellites into LEO.
Achievements
Gilmour Space Technologies holds the ISO9001 Quality Management System Certification and has developed an Australia Made & Owned Eris Orbital Launch Vehicle. Gilmour Space is a proud supporter of Veteran Employer (Department of Veteran Affairs).
Gilmour Space Technologies is partnered with various top companies including BlackBird, Main Sequence Ventures, Fine Structure Ventures, Hesta, Hostplus, ngs Super, Ridgeline, Beyond Gravity, Griffith University, Queensland, and many more. Hence, Gilmour Space with the vision to provide access to space affordably has launched various satellites and launch vehicles into the space.